K–5 Reading

A Dollar a Penny It Doesn t Grow on Trees

9-minute short version

Ready-to-teach lesson

It Doesn't Grow on Trees A Dollar, a Penny, How Much and How Many? - Grade 1 - Short lesson

TIME

OBJECTIVE

PRODUCT

9 minutes Distinguish the literal picture of a saying from its intended meaning using the following sentence as evidence. One oral statement using: “It sounds like …, but it really means …” Essential question: What does “money doesn't grow on trees” really mean?

Materials

  • The book
  • Prepared excerpt printed in this lesson
  • Student response materials Text to mark
  • saying passage - “Money is not magical. It doesn't grow on trees …” Prepared text Money is not

magical. It doesn't grow on trees. It's something you can save or lend or spend on what you please.

Lesson sequence

1 Read the saying and picture it - 5 min Read the passage aloud. Have students picture what it would look like if money literally grew on trees, describe that picture, and decide whether the book means it really happens. 2 Say the saying in plain words - 4 min Reread the passage. Have students explain what the saying really means without using the words trees or grow.

Teacher key

The saying is not literal. The passage first says money is not magical and then explains that money is something people can save, lend, or spend. Support & extension

Support:
Echo the sentence “It doesn't grow on trees.” Ask whether money really grows on trees, then ask for one reason from the passage. Extension: Ask why the writer places “Money is not magical” immediately before the saying.

Assessment

  • Separates the literal picture from the intended meaning
  • States that the book does not mean money literally grows on trees
  • Uses another sentence in the passage to support the explanation

page 1

page 2

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